Railroad car draft gear and buffer stem mounting



Nov. 21, 1944. K F NYSTROMETAL 2,363,197'

RAILROAD CAR DRAFT GEAR AND BUFFER STEM MOUNTING Filed May 15, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 l Il Nov. 21, 1944. K F NYSTRQM ET AL 2,363,197

RAILROD CAR DRAFT GEAR AND/BUFFER STEM MOUNTING Filed May 15, 194s zsheets-sheet 2 I @i /g ,30 l 272067720715 jnection involving the transverse pin I4 and PatentedNov. 2l, `1944 U NITEDj .STATE RAILROAD CAR DRAFT GEAR AND BUFFE STEM MOUNTING SN PATENT' OFFICE f A i Karl F. Nystrom and Vernon LfGreen,

, I Milwaukee, Wis. I, o o

, o application May` 15, 194s,`seria1` Nq. 487,414

lac'laims `(c1. :zia-so)` f Ourinvention relates/to improvements inthe draft gear andbuifer center stem mechanism more especially intended for railroad passenger cars and has "foritslobjectthe `provision "of a construction wherein the draft gearis insulated `from the car and normal contact between the buffer stem and theusual buffer `channel is prevented, thereby eliminating the usual noise encountered with constructions as heretofore emo ployed.

The foregoing objects and advantages, as well as other advantages inherent in the construction, will all be readily `comprehendedfrom the `detailed description of the accompanying drawings whereino Figure 1 is a planview `of our improved draft gear and bulfercenter stemvwith portions broken away and shown in` section. o

`Figure, 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the longitudinal center line of the device.

` Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the offset line 3-3 of Figure 1, `as viewed by the arrows on an Yenlarged scale.

a `Figure 4,is a vertical sectional view jtaken `ori the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

The invention, `which is more especially in-V tended for uselon railroad passengercars,` for lowing'the line of `draft from the coupler shank I6 the yokell,` the-rear follower plate 2|, the draft `gear proper,` and` the front follower plate 22,1it is transmitted through the support casting o I3,v through `shell or lenvelope I2, through tail piece l I,tl'lroughjkey;V 23, tojthejfollower plate '24; through thensulating buff pad or plate I I` casting bulkhead andj thence to the platform and to the carbody.V o 1 'The buff or thrust encountered by the coupler is `transmitted from they coupler butt to the for- `ward follower` plate '22; through the draft gear proper, the rear; follower plate 2|, the tail piece purposes of exemplication has been applied to I Y a. `well known type `offdraft gear, so that specific description of allA of the elements, except in so far asthose affected by our invention,`need not be entered into; the draft gear and its associated elements'being generally secured to the carunderframe or centerV sill which lisindicated at I0 and is formed at its ends to receive andhave the draft gear secured thereto. VIn, the particular exemplificaton the draft gearis housed 'within an enclosure forward of the tail piece Il, which is provided with an enclosingfshell or envelope I2, preferably immovablysecured thereto in a suitable manner `as by welding, while` the other end of the shell `or envelope I2 is intimatelysecured to the support casting I3 Vwhich contains the usualfswivel conthe vertical pin I5 for the coupler shank I6.

, porary `arrangementto take the draft forces in l `swivel buttare taken care of by the wide stagger II,'` the forward insulator `buff pad 5 I'I,"tl'1ence through the bulkhead25 o f the platform casting `to the car body.

the housing will drop on Vthe safety carrier iron 26 `(see Figure 2) fand the support casting will move forward until it contacts the emergency filler 2'|, which isusupportedrby the lug 28 of the emergency (see Figure 1),.` This provides a tem the event of failure; f o

The side thrustsof `the coupler I6a and its or spacing of the mounting or `support pins 29 which extend. throughopeningsA the bottom extensions S0 `at opposite sides Aof the casting I3; the: ends ofthe pins 29 extending beyond the ends ofthe `extensions 30 and are threaded to receive the gland-nuts 3|* (seeFigure 4) which engage the' collars 32, 32, preferably welded to The draft gear, yoke andmfollower plate assembly functions in a normal mannerwithin the housing.` y a l In order to reduce the usual noise, we insulate the draft` gear housing assembly `from the car andoits platform casting `by meansof resilient elements or rubber `buff plates I1, I'La tail'piece bushing I8, and support pin bushings I9. Folthe center sill. The center of application of the coupler side thrust and the center ofthe mounting pins 29, V29 :form abroad based triangle for transmitting this force'oor side thrust tothe platform casting; this force being,transmitted to the platform casting as aside thrust and acouple. `The construction described prevents the swivel butt being forced against the platform casting in the event of a thrust or buff, or ofa draft or pull beinggencountered from an angle relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe coupler shank; a condition which Wouldresult in considsition.

The -draft key '23,'n'ormally sp'eakingwill shear at approximately 350,000 pounds of pull or draft; and any draft in excess will be taken by the assembly', causing it to move forward until thel .support case or casting I3 strikes the emergency nller 21, supported by the emergency through the medium of lug 28. In the event of a maximum l thrust or buff of'say 800,000 pounds, theff'orward buff pad I'I will be compressed out at approximately 400,000 pounds, then the tail/piece casting,r

II will back up against the bulkhead` 25, which is capable of absorbing the 800,000 pounds load.`

V-In order to remove or lower rthe housing assembly, the emergency lug.2I must be removed to provide clearance; and after the lug 2'1 has been removed the housing assembly can then below` ered upon removing the support pins29, 29 `(one n on each side of the housing, see Figure 3l the pin 3 3 in the draft key 23, thefollower plate 24, the

tail piece bushing I8, thesafety carrier iron 26, and the coupler pin I5. v ,f .'.The buffer center stem134`, which is'slidably `mounted in and extends through'the lcylindrical portion 35 of the casting, has.,its inner end provided with a block or collar 3E, secured to the center stem in any suitable manner as by a pin 3l; the collar or block 36 beingof apredetermined width sufficient to maintain thev forward outer end of the center stem 34v normally spaced from and out of contact with the buffer plate or channel 3'8; lthe width or thickness of the block 36, approximating the reactive travel of the buffer. Adjacent the inner end of the center stem 34, shown in Il'igure 2, is the usual friction and spring mechanism (not shown) rmounted in the buffer barrel'll.l The frictiony shoe travel, namely of 1% inches, is still available for safety in collision.

Thev buffer constructed as described will' be brought into operation very infrequently and consequently itfneed. not be insulated; While, on theother hand, thebufferelement supporting or side stems, one of Which is shown at 40. in Figure l,

having a center sill with spaced apart apertured y' portions, a support casting, mounted in the center sill, provided with a base disposed laterally to- Ward. opposite sides below said center sill intermediate the vapertured portions thereof and provided with openings extending therethrough; vibration absorbing bushings arranged in said openings; support pins disposed through the an enlarged base below the centerv sill andfdis-J bushings; and means adjustably mounted on the ends of the pins and coacting with the center sill spaced portions whereby the pins are secured v tions; a support casting, adapted to be mounted in the centerr sill of a railroadmcar, provided with posed toward opposite, sides'beyond thesides' of the center sill. and arranged between the apertured portions, thereof, the base adjacent opposite sides bein'gprovided :with openings extending lengthwisely tlierethrouglziY and registering with the` center lsill apertured portions; support pins arranged in said openings and. apertures and 'pro-l vided with resilient vibration' absorbing bushings;

and.' adjustable means at the ends of the pinsl whereby thev bushings vare placedv under `compression and the pins hel'dagainst'longitudinal move# ment. o j l 3. In the draft gear structure `of a railway car,

' a` support casting` whereby` the draft gear is and which comes into frequent operation, is insulated from the castingk by vibration absorbing elements or rubber bushings 4 I, 4I which are preferably made tapering toward each other, and the openings through the thick wall portion 42 of the casting are also tapered from opposite ends, to conform tothe tapered bushing elements 4I, 4I.

` The bushing elements4l are mounted on an elongated sleeve member 43, Whose forward `end is formed to provide a seat for the spring 44, wherel by the buffer channel is yieldingly held in normal position. The rear end of the sleeve member 43 is threaded and provided with a Washer 45 and nut 4B ;the tapered bushing members and the tapered walls of the opening cause the elongated as lshown at 41.

YThe exemplilcation is believed to be .the best embodiment of the inventiombut certain detail modifications, may be possible without, however,

mounted `in the center sill of `a railroad car, the base of the casting being disposed below the center sill and extended laterally toward' opposite sides of the centersilland said extended portions cored lengthwisely; collarsv intimately secured'to the center sill and arrangedvin spaced `relation and in alignment with the opposite vends ofsaid extensions; support pins` disposed through `Said extensions and said collars; shocky l absorbing bushings arranged on said-pins; and regulable meansfsecured to the endsofsaidp'ins Ywhereby the bushings are placed `under ,compressionrand the pins held against longitudinal movement.,

14'. In a` draft gear Vstructure. for railroadfpasf-` senger cars, the combination of av support casting mounted in the carcenter sill with portions 'disposed beneath the center sill and resiliently secured to the bottom of the center sill, and a platf form casting rearward of said support casting and provided witha bulkhead, a draftgear assembly intermediatethe support casting andthe bulkhead; a tail piece attloev inner endfof saidassem-l bly provided with astem portion disposedfthrough the bulkhead; a, draft gear enclosing memb'ersecured to the support casting. and to the tail piece;

a rear follower'plate arranged on` the tailpiece` stem rearward of the bulkhead; insulating 'shock ter sill andprovided with abaseportion disposed beneath the center sill; means whereby said base portion 1 is `removably secured to- `the center sill; the dr'aft gear tail piece having `a stem fportion i disposed through anaperture` insaid .bulkhead whereby the reariendof the draft gear assembly is supported in place; aiv followerplate arranged on said tail piece stem"portionrearwardiof said bulkhead; shock absorbing elements intermediate the tail piece', saidbulkhead` and said follower plate andl intermediate said support casting base and said means; whereby? the draft gear assembly is cushioninglysecuredto the car centersill. i 1

*l 6.` In the draft gear structure of a railroadpas-` senger car provided with acenter sill and auplat-` form castingiprovided'iwith a depending bulkhead, the combination ofva `draft gear assembly arranged in the centersill forward of said bulkhead; a support casting for supporting the `forepart of the draft gear; a tail piece, at the rear end of the assembly, supported by thebulkhead; an

enclosure shell for housing the draft gear inti-` mately secured at one end to said support casting and at the other end tosaid tail piece; a follower plate arranged on therearend of the tai] piece rearward of the bulkhead;4 vibration absorbing means whereby said tail piece and follower plate '7. In the draftgear structure of a railroad pasvsenger car having a center sill and a platform` casting with an apertured bulkhead, the combi nation of a draft gear assembly, an enclosure shell for the assembly; a support casting, at the forward end ofthe assembly, to which the forward end of said shell is intimately connected; the base of said support casting being disposed beneath the center sill and havingextensions exten-ding toward opposite sides of the center sill and cored from front to rear; apertured members secured mounted in the casting intermediate thezp'air of r side stems; and meanswhereby-the'forwardend t A of said center stem is normallyuheld in predetermined spaced relationwith the buffer memben ,f *9. `In the draft gear and bufferistemconstrucf t tionof a railroad passenger carwprovided '.with Ta platform castingglthe 'combinationuof `a bufferv member disposed f'orwardof and` in spacedirelation with the casting; spring `controlled slidably mountedstems .-pivotally `connected at their' forward ends toi the buffer member;4v sleeve members for slidably supporting `the inner ends of the stems in the-platform casting and for placing the stern springs under compression; `vibration `absorbing elements-arranged on the sleeve `members and in aperturesinthe platform casting; whereby the latter and the stems `are Vinsulatedwfrom the casting; and regulable means on the ends of the` sleeve members whereby theelements may be compressed. t

10. In the draft gear and buffer stem construct tion of a railroad passenger car with a buffer channel and a platform casting Whose lower side has a' rib provided with an opening tapering` from opposite ends toward the center of the opening;

spring controlled stems whose forward ends "are pivotally secured to the buffer channel; sleeve members `arranged on the stems and formed at t their forward ends to provide seats for the rear to the center sill and their apertures aligned with opposite `ends of the cored openings in the support casting extensions; support pins disposed through the cored openings and the apertured members whereby the support casting is supported from the car underframe; a tail piece, at the rear `endof the `draft gear assembly, to which the rear end of said shell is intimately secured, the tail piece having a spindle portion disposed through the bulkhead aperture whereby the rear end of the draft gear assembly is supported in place; resilient bushings for `said support pins and the spindle portion of said tail piece whereby the draft gear assembly is insulated from the car.

8. In the draft gear and buffer stem structure of a railroad passenger car provided with a platform casting and a buffer member forward of and in spaced relation with the platform casting, the combination of a pair of spring controlled side stems pivotally secured to the buffer member for means on said sleeves whereby said elements are placed under compression; a center stem slidably ends of the springs whose forward ends are in pressure exerting relation with the buffer-channel; tapered vibration 4absorbing non-metallic elements arranged in the tapered openings ofthe i members whereby the `elements are placed under compression.

11. In the draft gear and buffer stem structure of a railroad passenger car with a platform cast,-

'ing having a cored bulkhead, the combination of a draft gear assembly arranged in the car center sill and having a tail piece provided with a stem portion disposed a support casting for the forepart of the assembly; an enclosure shell forthe draft gear intimately secured at its ends to said tail piece and to said support casting; cushion means intermediate the tail piece and the platform bulkhead; supporting pins whereby said support casting is removably secured to the center sill; and cushion `means whereby the pins are insulatedly secured in place. Y t

12. In the draft gear and buffer stem construction of a railroad passenger car provided with a platform casting having a cored bulkhead, the combination of a draft gear assembly arranged in the car centersill, the center sill being provided with apertured depending portions; a support casting for the forepart of the assembly adapted to t into the center sill of the car with the base portion extending beneath the center sill and disposed laterally between the apertured depending portions of the center sill 'and apertured to register with the apertures of said depending portions;

removable support pins arranged in the registered y and atfitst rear endto the tail piece.; and vibration absorbing bushings arranged on said support pins and said tail piece whereby the draft gear assembly is insulated from the car.

. 13. In the draft gear and buier stern construction of a railroad passengerl car provided with a center sill and a platform casting having a cored depending bulkhead,r the combination. of a. draft sions; removable pins disposed throughvsaid collars and. saidv casting extensions for removably securingv the support casting in place; atail piece at the rear end of the draft gear assemblyI provided with a rearwardly disposed spindle disposed through the cored opening in the bulkhead, .the

rear end of said spindle being provided with a follower plate and a draft key 'disposed through the spindle; an. enclosing shell for the draft gear secured to said support casting and to said tail piece and. means disposed `about said support pins and between the tail piece, its spindle and the bulkhead and betweensaid rearV follower plate andv the bulkhead, whereby the draft gear assembly is insulated from the car.

n l KARLv F. NYSTROM.

VERNQN L. GREEN. 

